I would start my checking you connections between the starter and the battery.... take in by an auto parts store and get em to check your battery... it may not have enough startin amps.... or the starter may be on its way out the door.... Im no mechanic but those would be my first steps

i used to get a sound like that out of my 01 mustang. i think it was a bad alternator or maybe it could be something completely different. check the spark plugs too maybe you flooded the engine and they need some washing/drying.

sounds like you need a new starter. IF it clicks, try hitting it with a broom handle. If it starts after that its usually a bad spot on the brushes...meaning you need a new starter. How many miles on the truck?

sounds like you need a new starter. IF it clicks, try hitting it with a broom handle. If it starts after that its usually a bad spot on the brushes...meaning you need a new starter. How many miles on the truck?

Click to expand...

just under 60k. I'll see if it helps to hit it with a broom handle.. thanks for the advice!!

like a previous reply said, check the battery connections, the bat itself and the positive power lead going to the starter. the radio doesn't need anywhere near the power the starter does. so it can still work when the starter won't.

I had this same problem on my 1st generation Yota and I discovered that the ring on the cable that goes over the battery post had actually broke and it wasnt getting a good connection.. I went to the auto parts store and bought new terminal ends and it fixed my problem. This may not be your issue but its worth checking.. Good Luck..

Try hitting it with a descent size hammer. Although that sounds particularly like the Battery being dead and not much like the Bendix drive sticking? You should be able to push start it, just make sure the "clutch cancel" button is on. It could simply be due to poor connections and/or loose battery cables. take a wire brush to the battery terminals and tighten everything up.

I got the truck running. I unplugged the headunit from the truck so it couldn't drain anymore power. After letting it sit for about 30 mins, I went back out and it started up. Sounded like it barely had enough power but it started. So I beleive it's probably the battery or alternator.

You should be able to push start it, just make sure the "clutch cancel" button is on.

Click to expand...

How come the clutch cancel button needs to be on to push start it?

Any suggestions on what I should do next? I'm thinking replacing the battery is number one. and checking the wiring on the stereo is two. If it happens again, I'm going to assume I neeed a new alternator.

It sounds like you have a parasitic drain (short) somewhere in your electrical system. At first I was thinking poor connection at the battery, like you need to clean the battery terminals. But after you mentioned it not starting after sitting and starting after unplugging the head unit. I've had to chase this kind of problem down before and it's no picnic. One other thing you might check is the engine to chassis ground as that will sometimes cause an amperage drop when you engage the starter.